Playing it safe

As we approach winter, drastic pruning and reduction is needed, says Charlie Wilkins.

The painters are the lucky ones in autumn.

There is so much matter to communicate just now, so much perfume and texture to everything, that I think only painting can encompass it all. And yet painting is something like gardening.

One uses a brush and palette knife, the other a trowel and fork. Both are undertaken alone and both make your hands dirty. But not being a painter I am left at harvest-time with mere noticing.

What I notice, sadly, these sodden days is a preponderance of ornamental trees and shrubs growing completely out of control.

Following one of the wettest summers in living memory gardens everywhere seem to be full of woefully oversized shrubs, trees, and hedges. These have suffered from an acute attack of the ‘middle-aged-spread’, aggravated mostly by the weather but a modicum of enforced neglect too.

It has been difficult for gardeners everywhere to find a few dry days in which to control the surge of summer growth or cut grass and now as we approach winter, drastic pruning and reduction is urgently needed.

Many have already started, but what amazes me is the number of precarious board-and-ladder combinations which gardeners and handymen are now using to keep growth under control.

As one who has messed about with inappropriate combinations of ladders, stepladders, kitchen stools, and milk crates all my life, I have in recent times given the job of tree and shrub reduction in my own garden to a younger man with agility and proper equipment.

He brings his own tools and the kind of ladder I wish had been available half a lifetime ago; a Platform Tripod Ladder! Essentially for trimming hedges, topiary, bushes and trees, this ladder is perfect for use when working in difficult situations especially lawns and uneven ground.

Because the ladder has three telescopic legs it opens up all kinds of opportunities making it the most universal ladder in existence. The third leg (see illustration) can be planted into a hedge or sideways with one side of the base parallel to the hedge giving the perfect work position.

It easily straddles over shrubs as well as low fences and walls. I have never seen a ladder with three legs but the operator looks extremely safe and comfortable even high up.

Because of the three legs, very wide base, and broad double rung steps this ladder does not wobble.

The rear third leg being telescopic is adjustable in 150mm stages and the two front legs can be independently adjusted in 50mm steps with spring leaded locking pins. This allows the ladder to be used on steps and stairs and at virtually any angle or quite steep slopes.

Manufactured from welded aluminium alloy extrusions this ladder is lightweight and strong having a safe working load of up to 100kgs. Full details of the Platform Tripod can be had from [e-mail]

GARDENNOTES

¦ “From Bantry Bay to the lovely Lee” is the title of an exhibition of new landscaping paintings in oils by Anna O’Hara being held in the Bishopstown Library, Wilton Cork (between Wilton Shopping Centre and SMA Hall) daily to Sept 29 from Thursday next. Opens on Thursday at 6.30pm.

¦ Blackrock Flower and Garden Club will host Eleanor Barrett to demonstrate “Make Friends through Flowers” on Tuesday next at 7.30pm in the Ursuline Secondary School.

¦ An ‘Open Garden’ event takes place at Bluebell House and Gardens, Gurteenulla Ballydehob (courtesy Liam Doherty and Ann Marie Healy) on Sunday Sept 9 from 11am to 5pm. Proceeds will aid Temple Street Children’s Hospital

¦ Grow It Yourself (GIY) Ireland holds their annual event ‘The Gathering’ on Sept 15 and 16 in Waterford City. It features international guest speakers, including BBC’s Alys Fowler. Details: Ann Power 086 3065588.

¦ Bantry Flower and Garden club will meet on Monday next at 8pm in the Westlodge Hotel. Guest Peter Dowdall of Dunsland Garden Centre will speak on “Autumn”.

¦ Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork will hold their 11th Annual Mushroom Hunt on Sunday Sept 16 (also Sunday Oct 7). Contact [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

¦ Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club will meet in Cobh Community Centre on Monday next at 8pm. A teaching demonstration will be given by Mary O’Keeffe.

¦ East Cork Flower Club host a demonstration with Sandra Jackson entitled “A Touch of Blighty” on Monday next at 8pm in St John the Baptist National School, Midleton.

¦ Ladysbridge and District Flower Club will host Dermot O’Neill at Garryvoe Hotel on Sept 10 at 8pm. Tickets now on sale at €15, contact Joan Aherne 086-3174175 or Rosalie Dunne 087-6505959.

¦ Reserve Saturday Sept 29 for the Fota House Autumn Garden Seminar. The one day seminar is timed for 9am to 4.30pm and tickets are €50 (with lunch €62). Booking is essential from Fota House, telephone [phone].

¦ Club secretaries please note my new e-mail address is [e-mail]